IT is good to get back to "proper" football after the untimely interruption of the International European Championship qualifiers. Thankfully it appears all the Liverpool players have come through their matches relatively unscathed.

Whether they will be unscathed after what will probably be one of the hardest physical matches of the season at the Britannia Stadium at the weekend is of course another story. Stoke manager Tony Pulis has performed minor miracles at the Potteries during the last three to four years and full credit to them for establishing themselves in the top flight.

Stoke City will certainly present a physical challenge mainly due to their style of football but I believe that class will ultimately tell and Liverpool will narrowly sneak it. The defence will need to keep new Stoke signing and ex-Red Peter Crouch quiet who will no doubt be aiming to impress on his debut.

The clear out by Dalglish of the dead wood in the squad after just nine months in charge has been truly phenomenal. Replaced by excellent players like Downing, Adam, Enrique, Bellamy, Coates and Henderson, and the "jewel in the crown" Suarez, the Liverpool Way of doing things is slowly but surely being introduced and it’s a pleasure to watch the Reds again.

I believe a minimum of a Champions League qualifying place is ours for the taking.

My forecast for Saturday, Stoke City 0 Liverpool 1.

ROBERT GILLIES, Aigburth

LIVERPOOL and international breaks make uneasy partners as our record in away games immediately after breaks is relatively poor. If we are to be challengers this year then we have to correct this fact in our next three games.

We have not won at Stoke in over ten years. Beating Brighton brings our first ever appearance at Wembley closer and Spurs are challengers for a Champions League spot. But we are capable of meeting such challenges as we now have genuine competition for places, particularly when Gerrard, Johnson and Kelly return.

I also see Coates making his first contribution in the next two weeks.

The total indifference to England of most Reds fans will have only been reinforced by the comments in the press about Andy Carroll and there is now the perfect opportunity for the player to answer his critics on the pitch.

The dignified silence from the club is in marked contrast and illustrates the gulf in class between Kenny and Capello.

ANTHONY DUNN, Wavertree

IN the past we’ve gone to Stoke and been bullied from the first minute. Last year was embarrassing at their place. We should go there on Saturday and let them know from the first minute that we’re too good for them.

The team should be a no-brainer, stick with the side that started against Bolton.

However I can see Kenny starting Andy Carroll. The Geordie has come in for some stick this week and he will feel he has a point to prove.

No doubt Dalglish has had the arm around him and with him only playing a few minutes on Tuesday, he should be raring to go. It’s up to Carroll now to get himself fit and prove he is a £35m player because, so far, I’m not convinced.

I’m really excited about Bellamy though. He will fit in perfectly with the football Kenny has us playing, either on the wing or up front and is a brilliant character to have back in the squad.

DAMIAN KAVANAGH, Skelmersdale

I’M glad the international matches are out of the way.

If you have got international class players though, you can’t moan if they play for their countries.

The only new injury worry seems to be with Charlie Adam. I hope he recovers in time but if not the squad is now strong enough to handle it, particularly with Bellamy rejoining the club.

Stoke have started the season confidently and are always a tough proposition on their own pitch so it’d be a major surprise if Coates plays a part in the game; it would be a real baptism of fire even though all the reviews indicate he’ll become ideal for this type of test.

I reckon Kenny will start with Carragher, Agger and Skrtel, as well as Carroll to make sure we’ve got enough to cope with the aerial battle. A draw wouldn’t be a bad result but if the lads continue to show the same energy and desire then we’re capable of a win which would maintain a great start to the season.

But I think Capello should take a leaf out of Pearcey’s book and be more diplomatic.

The press had a field day wiith his uncalled for comments about Andy Carroll.

He should keep his gob shut after ‘privately’ talking to players.

How can a private chat with players ‘suddenly’ be all over the news. Unbelievable.

The media even used photos from holidays to slate Andy.

Virtually ALL players go on holiday and have a few drinks.

How many players from how many other teams have had loads of drinking sessions DURING the playing week!?

Jim’s Joy

ANDY CARROLL will be a great number 9 for Liverpool and England for the next 10 years.

Once Stevie is back whipping balls in from all angles and Andy is match fit, Carroll critics will look very silly.

Shame on you all.

Kenny Dalglish would not bring a player to the club if he wasn’t good enough.

He’s clearly good enough, now give him time to get fit and judge him then, and I guarantee everybody he will be out of this world.

RED BAT

WHAT an excellent confidence booster for Jordan Henderson, captaining his country.

Some of the media have been having a great time with Andy Carroll and his "partying."

What I find confusing in all this is that, in spite of all that's been said, the insatiable paparazzi have failed to scoop a single photograph.

Big opportunity to really show what he’s got against Stoke. Tough match.

TrueRedsAreFOrLife

KING KENNY has done an unbelievable job.

Getting rid of all the underachieving, couldn't care less, dross and replacing them with young exciting talent has been a monumental achievement.

He has picked LFC up off its knees and pulled the club together.

We now have an exciting squad to be proud of.

A squad that we can believe in. And let’s face it, still all done on a very tight budget.

Could any other manager have come in and done what King Kenny has done in nine months? Villa Boas, Ferguson, Wenger, even Mourinho?

I doubt it.

GaWill

I’D love to know what Craig Bellamy thinks of sitting out the final in Athens.

David Gallagher

OUR great captain will be back on the 18th of September, eh?

Wouldn’t bet on it.

What about the excuses – "Oh he's had a setback, it will be another few weeks."

Liverpool used to be a one man team with Billy Liddell but they never won anything because football is a team game.

So the sooner Gerrard goes the better it will be for Liverpool.

silverfox54

GOOD LUCK to David Ngog. I hope he does well for Bolton (hopefully not against us though).

I think given a good run of games he can become a decent striker, but I still think he will struggle with consistency over a season.

RedMan

I ALWAYS felt David Ngog had hidden depths of talent, which for whatever reason didn't develop at Liverpool.

My guess is if he fills out a bit and learns how to use his strength this lad could be exceptional. Good luck!

Blindside

PERHAPS Craig Bellamy can take Carroll's place?

Carroll seems to be well on the path to following the likes of George Best, concerned more with his boozing than the "hindrance" of having to pretend to play football. Capello’s smart enough to call it as it is. Pity Anfield bosses can't see it the same way.